SF’s Schroeder’s Will Close Its Doors Jan. 1

We’re not sure what the German word for “yowza” is, but this certainly deserves a great big exclamation of some sort. San Francisco’s venerable Schroeder’s is closing on Jan. 1.

The 120-year-old German restaurant — the largest beer hall on the Left Coast — has been purchased by Jan Wiginton and Andy Chun, the folks behind Press Club San Francisco. They plan to reopen the huge Financial District eatery with a fresh look, a new chef and a new menu in April.

“We chose Jan and Andy among all the potential buyers because we trust that they will preserve what we’ve created and maintain the traditions that mean so much to our customers,” said Jana Filipcik, Schroeder’s soon-to-retire owner. “We didn’t want the longstanding German culture and heritage of this restaurant that’s been built over the last 120 years to be lost for a different concept.”

May we just say, whew…

Word is that BCV Architects, who did the Press Club, are putting in new hardwood floors, adding the windows and giving the place more warmth and light. Schroeder’s will still have German cuisine — with a local, seasonal touch — and the polka bands, shoot-the-boot contests and Oktoberfest celebrations will continue on.